Controversy continues to follow Alejandro Garnacho, who could be on his way out of Manchester United following his strong reaction to being left on the bench in Bilbao
Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho didn't hide his disgruntlement after the Europa League final(Image: Getty)
Alejandro Garnacho's future at Manchester United appears to be in doubt following the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
The 20-year-old, who was linked with Napoli and Chelsea in January, was left out of the starting line-up against Spurs in Bilbao, eventually replacing Mason Mount with less than 20 minutes to go. After the game, he didn't hold back about the decision, United's season in general and his future.
Garnacho said: "Obviously it's hard for everyone. Our season was s***. We didn't beat anyone in the league. We lacked a lot of things."
On being benched, he added: "When you don't score goals, you always need more. Until we reached the final, I played every round. And I played 20 minutes today... I don't know. I'm going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens next."
Meanwhile, his brother, Roberto, took to Instagram to Ruben Amorim of throwing Garnacho under the bus. He posted: "Working as no one else, helping every round, coming from two goals in the last two finals, just to be on the pitch for 19 mins and get thrown under the bus. Wowe hahahahahaha."
While Garnacho has shown flashes of brilliance, there have been too many moments of controversy for the liking of some. Here's a round-up...
Alejandro Garnacho
Ferguson's warning
Garnacho seems unable to avoid online pitfalls. After being withdrawn at half-time in a draw at Bournemouth last year, he 'liked' several negative posts about then-manager Erik ten Hag.
With Ten Hag already facing scrutiny prior to an unexpected FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City, Garnacho's apparent readiness to challenge his manager reminded many of Sir Alex Ferguson's assessment of the player-manager dynamic in his autobiography. Ferguson wrote: "There is a phrase in football about players 'not playing for the manager,' which I have seen happen a thousand times.
"Once that happens, the manager is as good as dead, because he has failed in his major undertaking, which is to motivate the players to follow him."
Sir Alex Ferguson on the pitch at San Mames
Olympic request rejected
Friction arose when United denied Garnacho's plea to play for his nation at the Paris Olympics due to the overlap with the start of the Premier League campaign.
United remained resolute despite Garnacho personally appealing to Ten Hag, a stance that can perhaps be understood given the Dutchman's need for a positive start following an eighth-place finish in 2023/24.
Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, embraces Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United as he is substituted during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Barnsley at Old Trafford on September 17, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Agent's fury
Garnacho's representatives haven't been afraid to speak their minds either. In 2023, agent Enrique de Lucas launched a scathing attack on the Spanish Football Federation after his client, who had previously played for Spain at youth level, chose to represent Argentina.
De Lucas lambasted the "poor politics" as he told Ole: "I think that Spain is a closed issue and there is no hiding it. Very poor management by the Spanish Federation, I don't know who, or I can guess who, but very poor management or very poor politics. And I think Garna is not going to be the only case in which a player with dual nationality could lose, I honestly tell you.
Sergio Reguilon speaking to Alejandro Garnacho
"And he decides to go with Argentina because he really feels it. For him it has not been a trauma at all, quite the contrary. When that possibility opens up for him, imagine, being able to play with a team like Argentina, all his maternal family, his grandparents, he has felt them since he was little and for him it's not a problem, it's a blessing."
Brother's apology demand
Roberto also has a history of fiery statements. He once let rip at fans on social media after his sibling's goal against Wolves in May 2023, which came after Garnacho had been criticised. Roberto blasted to one social media user: "Apologise as much as you disrespected, b******."